The NABARD Development Assistant (DA) prelims exam will be held on 21 February 2026, and the mains exam on 12 April 2026. This national-level exam, conducted by the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development, recruits candidates for Development Assistant positions in regional offices. The selection process includes Prelims, Mains, and a qualifying Language Proficiency Test. The Development Assistant is a secure Group B role, offering job stability, a five-day workweek, and a healthy work-life balance. Responsibilities include administrative, operational, and rural development tasks, with promotion opportunities to Grade A after three to four years.
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What is the NABARD DA Exam?
NABARD refers to the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development, and DA stands for Development Assistant. NABARD administers the exam to recruit Development Assistants for its Regional Offices through Prelims, Mains, and a Language Proficiency Test. DAs provide clerical and administrative support, assist in rural development initiatives, banking operations, and data management. It is a prestigious national-level exam conducted online across India.
NABARD DA Apply Online 2026 Link
Is the NABARD DA 2026 Exam Date Released?
Yes, the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development has officially declared the NABARD DA 2026 exam date. Separate schedules have been released for the Prelims and Mains exams.
NABARD DA Eligibility Criteria
NABARD DA 2026 Exam Date – Official Schedule
The NABARD Development Assistant (DA) 2026 notification has been released, revealing 162 job openings. Candidates can apply for this recruitment from January 17 to February 3, 2026. The Preliminary exam will be conducted on February 21, 2026, while the Main exam is planned for April 12, 2026.
NABARD DA 2026 Important Dates – Complete Timeline
Here we have tabulated official dates from the NABARD DA 2026 notification given below.
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Event |
Dates |
|---|---|
|
Notification Release date |
17 January 2026 |
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Apply Online Start Date |
17 January 2026 |
|
Apply Online Last Date |
3 February 2026 |
|
NABARD DA Prelims Exam Date 2026 |
21 February 2026 |
|
NABARD DA Mains Exam Date 2026 |
12 April 2026 |
|
Language Proficiency Test |
Will be announced |
NABARD DA 2026 Selection Process
The NABARD Development Assistant (DA) 2026 selection process involves three stages: Preliminary Exam, Mains Exam, and Language Proficiency Test (LPT). The Prelims is a qualifying, one-hour objective test with 100 questions and negative marking. The Mains consists of objective and descriptive papers, and its score determines the final merit. Candidates who qualify for selection and have studied the declared language as a subject in Class 10 or 12 are exempted from the Language Proficiency Test (LPT). However, they must submit valid documentary proof, such as the Class 10 or 12 marksheet showing the specified language as a subject.
What is the NABARD DA Prelims Exam Date 2026?
The NABARD DA 2026 Prelims exam will be held on 21 February 2026. This marks the first stage of the selection process.
What is the NABARD DA Mains Exam Date 2026 (Stage-II Schedule)?
The NABARD DA 2026 Mains exam is scheduled for 12 April 2026, after the February Prelims.
What is the NABARD DA Language Proficiency Test (LPT) Schedule?
The NABARD DA Language Proficiency Test (LPT) is conducted after the declaration of the Mains exam result for candidates who have not studied the official language of the concerned state in Class 10 or 12; the exact schedule is announced later on the official website.
How to Check NABARD DA Exam Date on the Official Website?
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Visit the official website: Open your web browser and go to the official website (@nabard.org)
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Go to the Careers section: On the homepage, navigate to the Careers section.
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Open the NABARD DA notification: Click on the relevant NABARD Development Assistant (DA) 2026 notification link to check the officially announced exam dates for Prelims and Mains.
FAQs on NABARD DA Exam Date
Q: When is the NABARD DA 2026 examination scheduled?
The NABARD Development Assistant (DA) 2026 Preliminary exam will take place on 21 February 2026, while the Main (Phase II) exam is planned for 12 April 2026.
Q: What is the exam date for NABARD DA 2026 Prelims?
The Preliminary examination for NABARD Development Assistant (DA) 2026 is set to be conducted on 21 February 2026.
Q: Is the NABARD DA examination held annually?
Yes, the NABARD Development Assistant (DA) exam is usually conducted every year.
Q: Are the NABARD DA Prelims and Mains conducted on the same day?
No, the Preliminary and Main examinations for NABARD DA are conducted on different dates.
Q: Where can candidates find the official NABARD DA exam schedule?
Applicants can refer to this page to check the officially announced NABARD DA exam dates.